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Bianca couldn't help but look Marissa directly in the eye before she remembered where she was.
"Well, uh," she started with a smile. She turned and began pushing the cart again, effectively breaking all contact between her and Marissa. "Let's go pick up some fruit." She said finally. She didn't look behind her to make sure Marissa was following; she just knew she needed to put some distance between them and fast.
Marissa frowned, watching the way Bianca retreated both physically and emotionally. It bothered her, because she was starting to finally believe JR when he said that Bianca had feelings for her. All the signs were there; avoidance of contact, subject change when things began to get intimate, general avoidance of her. It broke her heart, imagining that beautiful woman having feelings from her but running from them. With a sad sigh, she began walking behind Bianca. She would get to the bottom of things and if JR was right, she would show Bianca that it was okay to love her. That they could be good together because Marissa loved Bianca more than she thought possible.
Steven glared at the apples in front of him angrily, as if all of his problems were their fault.
"Barely touched her and she runs away. That woman practically pins her to a cart and she smiles. She freakin' smiles." He muttered to himself. He was so engrossed in his anger at the apples; he didn't notice the pale face approaching him looking completely flustered. Until she spoke;
"Steven, hey!" she said chipper. He glanced up quickly and all of his anger suddenly evaporated. The friendly smile on her face, those brown eyes that held something he couldn't describe; it wasn't Bianca's fault she didn't know he was interested.
"Hey stranger." He smiled easily at her. She grinned a little, leaning over her cart conspiratorially,
"Whatever it was, I don't think it was the apples. The oranges look a little shady if you ask me." She joked. He couldn't help but chuckle.
"Yeah, I think you may be onto something." He said back. He looked up at her, grabbing the bag and putting them in his own cart. "How've you been? Haven't really seen you lately." He said. She let out a breath.
"Busy." She said with a wry smile. "The center and my family is in town visiting for the weekend." She shrugged but a happy smile graced her face. Steven's breath caught when he saw it; he wanted to be the cause of it.
"I can imagine that would run you a little ragged." He admitted. Apparently Bianca hadn't been avoiding him; she was just busy.
"Hey, Bianca, I hope you don't mind but I grabbed some juice." He heard. He looked past Bianca and scowled, it was the red head. He glanced at Bianca and noticed the way her eyes lit up before she looked at the new arrival.
"Nope, I don't mind at all." She said. "Oh, Marissa, this is Steven. He's been part of my sanity when taking those darn trains every morning." She said by way of introduction. "Steven, this is my best friend, Marissa." She said and he noted a hint of pride in her voice. He tossed on a tight smile.
"Hey." He offered. Marissa beamed at him.
"Hey! Thanks for looking out for Bianca here." She said gratefully. She held out her hand and he almost recoiled in anger but he shook her hand; a southern gentleman always respects a lady.
"Heh," he shook his head with a half smile, his eyes on Bianca the entire time. "Trust me; it's been a pleasure to have someone to wait with. Gets pretty boring when the trains are always late." He said.
Bianca had turned away as soon as Steven had spoken to Marissa, in search of grapes for a fruit salad she intended to make later. She felt eyes on her and shifted but didn't look up; actually she'd been having that feeling a lot lately and it made her uncomfortable.
Marissa followed Steven's line of sight and her eyebrows raised a little but she kept a smile on.
"So she's been adjusting well?" she asked. Steven glanced at her then back at Bianca and shrugged.
"Well, as far as I know yes." He said patiently. "Though I really only see her on her way to work and occasionally around the neighborhood, she looks like she's always been here." He said. Marissa furrowed her eyebrow, feeling uncomfortable with the way he was looking at Bianca. "Well, it was nice meeting you but I've gotta grab some other stuff and go get my son. Enjoy your visit." He said with a tight smile and walked away quickly. Marissa bit her lip, watching him leave and scratching her forearm a little.
"Steven seems…nice." Marissa said as the two finally settled into the cab. She wasn't sure why Bianca didn't have a new car yet but she wasn't really going to question it; it seemed like the city bus went everywhere Bianca would need to go anyway. Bianca hummed to herself.
"He's been a big help." She answered. "Sam and Jennie too." She added.
"Who and who?" Marissa asked furrowing her eyebrows in confusion. Bianca smiled at the action.
"The neighbors remember I told you about them shortly after I moved here?" she reminded her. Recognition flickered on Marissa's face.
"Oh, Frick and Frack." She said.
"I did not call them that!" Bianca laughed. Marissa chuckled, resting her hand on Bianca's knee unconsciously.
"You might as well call them that if your descriptions are anything to go by." She said with a half smile. Bianca just shook her head and looked out the window. As they traveled, she rested her hand on Marissa's. Marissa smiled and turned her hand over, lacing their fingers together and watching the city pass out of her own window.